Set Me Free (Mary J. Blige song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Set Me Free
| cover = Mjbsetmefree.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Mary J. Blige
| album = Strength of a Woman
| released = {{Start date|2017|07|19}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:29
| label = {{hlist|Capitol|Matriarch}}
| writer = {{hlist|Mary J. Blige|Jazmine Sullivan|Darhyl Camper, Jr.|Charles Hinshaw}}
| producer = DJ Camper
| chronology = Mary J. Blige
| prev_title = Love Yourself
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = Only Love
| next_year = 2018
}}
"Set Me Free" is a song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, Darhyl "DJ" Camper, Jr., and Charles Hinshaw for her thirteenth studio album, Strength of a Woman (2017), while production was helmed by Camper. The song was released as the album's fourth single on July 19, 2017, and peaked at number eight on the US Adult R&B Songs.{{Cite news|url=https://hamadamania.com/2017/07/19/mary-j-blige-selects-set-me-free-as-new-promotional-single/|title=Mary J. Blige selects "Set Me Free" as new promotional single|date=2017-07-19|work=Hamada Mania Music Blog|access-date=2017-09-26|language=en-US}}
Critical reception
The reception to the song has been generally positive, with Entertainment Weekly calling it a "fiery kissoff."{{Cite news|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/27/mary-j-blige-strength-woman-review/|title=Mary J. Blige Is Above Hateration on 'Strength of a Woman': EW Review|date=2017-04-27|work=EW.com|access-date=2017-09-26|language=en-US}} The Guardian called the song "pleasingly understated" with "D'Angelo vibes,"{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/27/mary-j-blige-strength-of-a-woman-review-rb-star-conjures-some-of-her-old-magic|title=Mary J Blige: Strength of a Woman review – R&B star conjures some of her old magic|last=Hutchinson|first=Kate|date=2017-04-27|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-26|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} while The New York Times wrote that Blige sounds "ecstatic and free."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/arts/music/mary-j-blige-strength-of-a-woman-review.html|title=For Mary J. Blige, Pain Leads to Beauty|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=2017-04-26|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-09-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
Commercial reception
"Set Me Free" became Blige's 22nd top-ten hit on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, tying the record for most top-10 hits on that chart.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7973570/kendrick-lamar-rihanna-loyalty-number-one-rhythmic-songs-chart|title=Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's 'Loyalty.' Hits No. 1 on Rhythmic Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2017-09-26}} It also became her third top-ten hit on that chart from the Strength of a Woman album.
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardadultrandbsongs|8|artist=Mary J. Blige|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphopairplay|31|artist=Mary J. Blige|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2019}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/adult-r-and-b-songs|magazine=Billboard|title=2017 Year End Chart: ADULT R&B SONGS|accessdate=January 30, 2019}}
|align="center"|28 |
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! Country ! Date ! Format ! Label ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" | United States
| July 19, 2017 |
|---|
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.maryjblige.com/ MaryJBlige.com — official website]
{{Mary J. Blige singles}}
{{Kanye West songs}}
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Songs written by Mary J. Blige